S&P Global's Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for France fell to 47.3 points last month, from 47.4 in February, and missing an earlier flash estimate (47.7) for the third time in a row.
The unabated contraction in France's manufacturing sector raises questions about the underlying strength of the euro zone's second-biggest economy, said S&P Senior Economist Joe Hayes.
"Although production volumes and new factory orders aren't falling as sharply as they were towards the end of last year, a strong reduction in buying activity, inventory drawdowns and a softening of business confidence paint a downbeat picture", he added.
Any figure above 50 suggests an expansion in activity, while below that points to a contraction. Factory production levels have been contracting in seven out of the last nine months with no clear end in sight, the survey showed, as a sub-index for future output - a key indicator about managers' mid-term confidence - slumped down by more than 3 points to 47.6.
"With market conditions weakening, French manufacturers reported greater availability of raw materials at vendors in March, supporting speedier supplier delivery times and an easing of price pressures", S&P Global said. (Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Toby Chopra)
